bergamot

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.

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bergamot (bûr´gəmŏt´) [from Bergamo, Italy], citrus tree (Citrus bergamia) grown chiefly in Italy, belonging to the family Rutaceae (rue family). From the rind of the bergamot orange is extracted an essential oil used in perfumes and eau de Cologne. Various North American plants of the Labiatae (mint family) are also called bergamot because of their bergamotlike fragrance. Chief among these is Monarda fistulosa, or wild bergamot, closely related to Oswego tea, or bee balm, which it resembles. The name bergamot is also applied to a variety of pear. True bergamot is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

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bergamot

ber·ga·mot
/ ˈbərgəˌmät/
•
n.
1.
an oily substance extracted from the rind of the fruit of a dwarf variety of the Seville orange tree, used in cosmetics and as flavoring in tea.
2.
(also bergamot orange)
the tree (Citrus aurantium subsp. bergamia) that bears this fruit.
3.
an aromatic North American herb (Monarda didyma) of the mint family, grown for its bright flowers and used medicinally.

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bergamot

bergamot Herb of the genus Monarda, including horsemint and Oswego tea., Family Labiatae. Also refers to the pear-shaped fruit of Citrus bergamia, grown in Italy for its oil, which is used in perfumery. Family Rutaceae.

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